The Respiratory System - Antitussives and Cough Expectorants
Roach, Chapter 35
What is a cough?
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A cough is the forceful expulsion of air from the lungs. Coughs are classifed as congested or dry, productive or nonproductive. There are different types of cough medications for each of these coughs.
What is an antitussive?
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An antitussive is a cough medication that depress the cough center located in the medulla. Antitussives are cough suppressants. Antitussives stop the coughing.
What narcotic is often used as an antitussive?
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Codeine is an example of a narcotic that works on the medulla cough center to suppress coughing. Cough medications containing codeine are a controlled substance and subject to the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. They need to be double-locked, each dose must be accounted for, and the amount remaining in the container must be measured at each change of shift.
What is a common non-narcotic antitussive?
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Dextromethorphan (Robitussin, Delsym) is an example of a non-narcotic cough suppressant.
When would an antitussive be most effective?
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An antitussive would be most effect against a dry, hacking cough.
What nursing considerations pertain to the administration of an antitussive?
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Persons with a persistent cough should be referred to a physician. Nurses should perform a respiratory assessment including assessing temperature and lung sounds. Antitussives often have a soothing effect on the throat when the liquid is swallowed. For this reason, do not follow antitussives with water or other liquid, as the liquid will be rinsed away.
What is an expectorant?
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An expectorant is a medication that helps to thin mucous, thus promoting expectoration.
When would an expectorant be used?
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An expectorant would be used when a patient has a congested and/or productive cough. Expectorants help patients expectorate sputum.
What is a common expectorant?
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Guaifenesin (Robitussin) is a common cough expectorant.
How can Robitussin be both a cough suppressant and a cough expectorant?
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Brand names can be anything the manufacturer chooses. Always look at the active ingredient to see whether the medication is dextromethorphan (suppressant) or guaifenesin (expectorant).
What nursing considerations pertain to the administration of a cough expectorant?
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Persons with a persistent cough should be referred to a physician. Nurses should perform a respiratory assessment including assessing temperature and lung sounds. Sputum should be well described. Cough expectorants are generally harsher than cough suppressants. The patient may want to follow a cough expectorant with water or juice to relieve the irritation.
What about medications like Robitussin CF, Robitussin DM, etc.?
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Cough mixtures can contain other medications like analgesics, antihistamines, and decongestants. Always read the list of active ingredients to see what’s in the bottle.
Some cough medications are labelled as both a suppressant and an expectorant. How can this be?
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Common cough mixtures include both dextromethorphan and guaifenesin. This mixture thins respiratory secretions to promote effective deep coughing while suppressing the dry ‘tickle in your throat’ type coughing.
Would you follow a suppressant / expectorant mixture with water or not?
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You can always hydrate the patient prior to and between doses without having to give fluids immediately after the administration of a combined cough medication.
Are there any other ingredients in cough medications that I need to know?
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Cough preparations may contain sugar for flavorings. They may also contain alcohol. Diabetic patients may need to receive unflavored, unsweetened cough medications. Alcohol interacts with many medications and may be contraindicated. Always read the list of ingredients to see what else is in the medication.
The Respiratory System - Antitussives and Cough Expectorants
Roach, Chapter 35
What is a cough?
What is an antitussive?
What narcotic is often used as an antitussive?
What is a common non-narcotic antitussive?
When would an antitussive be most effective?
What nursing considerations pertain to the administration of an antitussive?
What is an expectorant?
When would an expectorant be used?
What is a common expectorant?
How can Robitussin be both a cough suppressant and a cough expectorant?
What nursing considerations pertain to the administration of a cough expectorant?
What about medications like Robitussin CF, Robitussin DM, etc.?
Some cough medications are labelled as both a suppressant and an expectorant. How can this be?
Would you follow a suppressant / expectorant mixture with water or not?
Are there any other ingredients in cough medications that I need to know?
Next: Respiratory System: Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
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